. >>> new signs of progress in efforts to avoid the fiscal cliff after a closed door meeting at the white house. >> more republicans are coming forward to say that the richest americans should pay more in taxes. here is abc's david kerley. >> reporter: for the first time in more than three weeks, a face-to-face meeting at the white house, but no cameras as the president sat down with speaker john boehner. no details are being offered which some will see as good news. the co-creator of a debt reducing plan sees progress. >> any time you have two guys in there tangoing, you have a chance to get it done. >> reporter: before the talks some republicans were admitting the president will get a lot of what he wants. >> let's face it he does have the upper hand on taxes. you have to pass something to keep that from happening. >> reporter: why compromising words? the white house moderated some demands. the president says tax rates for the wealthy have to rise now word that the actual rate could be negotiable. maybe not all the way back to 39.6%. >> will i accept a tax increase as a part of a deal t